Electrical device



O. M. GLUNT ELECTRICAL DEVICE Filed June 30, 1935 A TTORNEV PatentedFeb. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES ELECTRICAL DEVICE Omer M. Glunt, Ruth BellTelephone La erford, N. J., assignor to E boratories, Incorporated,

New York, N. Y a corporation of New York p Application June 30,

3 Claims.

This invention relates to electricaldevices and more particularly toelectron .discharge devices capable of handling large amounts of power.

In modern broadcasting transmitters or transoceanic transmitters, thefinal stage of radio amplification is represented by a bank of a numberof high voltage power devices, water-cooled, air-cooled, or otherwise,each having a rating within the range of 10 to 25 kilowatts. A similarbank of devices is necessary for the rectification of the alternatingcurrent supply to apply the high voltages to the amplifier. The futuredevelopment of radio communication may justify the replacement of thesebanks of devices with one or two high voltage electron discharge deviceshaving the aggregate rating of the single bank of devices. Obviously, asingle device of this character will be extremely expensive, and it mayprove to be desirable to have an accurate record of the operating lifeof the device.

The object of this invention is to automatically register the operatinglife of the device, and to indicate the total time during which thedevice is in use.

Another object of the invention is to prevent tampering with theregistering mechanism so that the indication shown on the register willbe a true and accurate measurement of the time during which the devicehas been in operation.

In accordance with the general aspect of this invention, the objects maybe realized by incorporating a time recording device as an integral partof the structure of the high voltage electron discharge device. In oneform of the invention, the recording device may be sealed in acompartment joined to the vitreous end of the discharge device. Inanother form of the invention, the recording device may be made anintegral part of the base attached to the vitreous end of the vessel. Ineach of these forms of the invention, the terminals of the recordingdevice are permanently connected across the filament current conductorsto record the time during which the filament is energized and therebyrecord the operating life of the device.

A more complete understanding of this invention will be derived from thefollowing detailed description with reference to the appended drawing,wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of an electron discharge device, with aportion broken away to show the internal electrodes, to which thisinvention is applicable;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in perspective of one 1933, Serial No.678,549

end of the device oflf'ig. 1 illustrating one embodiment of theinvention; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view in perspective of a modifiedfori'n of one end of the device of Fig. 1 illustrating anotherembodiment of the invention.

The electron discharge device of Fig. 1 comprises an evacuated enclosingvessel or envelope I0, having a vitreous portion II, and a metallicportion l2 serving as an anode of the device. Suitably supported withinthe envelope is a carrier member or block I3 of insulating material fromwhich depend the filament l4 and the grid 15. At the end of the deviceopposite the anode end is a cylindrical base or collar 1 6 cemented tothe vitreous portion II and carrying contacts I! to provide externalconnections for the filament. The grid conductor I8 is brought outwithin a vitreous stem or extension Hi.

In Fig. 2, the vitreous portion I I includes a hollow portion 20 rigidlysecured thereto and preferably integral therewith. Within thecompartment or chamber 2| of portion 20 is positioned a time meteringdevice 22. This metering device is supported by a plurality of brackets23, one end 24 of each of which is secured to the meter casing and theother end 25 of each of which engages With a recess formed in anextension 26 which projects from the inner surface of the portion 20. Aheat barrier is preferably interposed between the metering device andthe heat generating portion of the device II]. This barrier may comprisea plurality of spaced discs 21 of any suitable heat insulating material,for instance, asbestos, which are supported on a surface of the meteringdevice by the members 28. The metering device may be any of the wellknown types, for instance, of the type in which a synchronous motorthrough one or more gears operates a numerical counter mechanism readingin units of time, as for example, hours of operation. The chamber 2|need not be evacuated, but is sealed from the enclosure 29 by thevitreous wall 30 and from the atmosphere by the fused tip 3|, so thatthe metering device cannot be tampered with, although its reading mayreadily be observed through the vitreous portion 20. The metering deviceis permanently connected through the conductors 33 to the wires 34connecting the filament H with the filament terminals IT. Thiselectrical connection of the filament and meter is made, preferably,within the portion 20.

It is apparent that the arrangement described enables the accurate andautomatic registration of the total time which an electron dischargedevice is in use and consequently its operating life, which registrationcannot be tampered with, without leaving indelible traces of theattempt. A reliable and true record of operating life of the devicesatisfactory to both the supplier of the device and the user thereof isobtainable.

Another embodiment of this invention is shown by Fig. 3. The base orcollar portion I60 is rigidly secured as by cement to the portion I land is formed with an integral housing or compartment portion 35 withinwhich an electrical time metering device 38 is positioned and supported.The

reading of the metering device is visible through the aperture, openingor window 36 formed in the base. The metering device is connected byconductors or wires 31 to the terminals I! for the filament wires 34.The meter may be of the same type as that embodied in the device of Fig.2, contained in 'a casing conforming to the interior shape of theportion 35. As with the arrangement of Fig. 2, the time meter isaccessible only by removing or destroying the portion or membercontaining it.

Although this invention has been disclosed with reference to specificembodiments thereof, it is to be understood, of course, that it is notlimited thereto, but that various modifications may be made in itsapplication to other electrical devices and the details of constructionwithout departing from the scope of the invention as defined 'in theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical device comprising an enclosing vessel, an electricalconductor in said vessel, a collar rigidly secured to the outside ofsaid vessel and. supporting a pair of terminals with which saidconductor is connected, said collar having a laterally off-set, hollowportion outside of said vessel and having an aperture, and a meter insaid hollow portion and connected to said terminals for electricallyrecording and indicating through said aperture the time during whichsaid conductor has been in use.

2. An electrical device comprising an enclosing vessel, an electricalconductor in said vessel and having leads extending therefrom, acylindrical collar rigidly secured to the outside of said vessel andhaving a diametral shelf supporting a pair of terminals for said leads,said collar having a laterally off-set, hollow portion outside of saidvessel and having an aperture, and a meter entirely enclosed in saidhollow portion and connected to said terminals for electricallyrecording the time during which said conductor has been in use, suchtime record being visible through said aperture.

3. An electron discharge device comprising a plurality of electrodes, anenclosing vessel for said electrodes, and a base for said vessel, saidbase comprising a substantially cylindrical collar having a diametralshelf portion for supporting a pair of terminals for one of saidelectrodes and a laterally ofi-set hollow portion adapted to house anelectrical recorder.

OMER. M. GLUNT.

